M4.8 Earthquake 106 km NW of Hicks Bay, New Zealand — August 19, 2023
2023-08-19 18:16:33 UTC (2023-08-19) · approx. 6:16 AM UTC+12 local
On August 19, 2023 at 18:16 UTC, a magnitude 4.8 intermediate depth earthquake struck 106 km NW of Hicks Bay, New Zealand, at a depth of 202.5 km and coordinates -36.9379°, 177.4247°. This earthquake was detected by 91 seismic stations with excellent location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 354, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.8 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 239 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 1.2 km — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
The epicenter is located in New Zealand, a region characterized by the Hikurangi subduction zone in the North Island and the Alpine Fault in the South Island. The nearest mapped fault system is the Alpine Fault. View all earthquakes in New Zealand.
Learn more: Magnitude scale · Aftershock sequences
Earthquake Details
177.4247°E
Technical Information
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.8 earthquake near Hicks Bay, New Zealand?
The magnitude 4.8 earthquake that struck 106 km NW of Hicks Bay, New Zealand on August 19, 2023 at 18:16 UTC had a depth of 202.5 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at -36.9379°, 177.4247°, which is 106 km NW of Hicks Bay, New Zealand. View all earthquakes in New Zealand.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 4.8 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.
Has New Zealand had earthquakes this big before?
The largest recorded earthquake in New Zealand was the M8.2 Wairarapa earthquake of January 23, 1855. Today's magnitude 4.8 event is significantly smaller than that historical record.
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us7000kphr). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2023, August 19, 2023). M4.8 Earthquake 106 km NW of Hicks Bay, New Zealand — August 19, 2023. Retrieved October 27, 2023 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000kphr/